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Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Sony Pictures, FOX-these are the half of the famous companies where Armenian layout artist/animator Yelena Geodakyan has worked. She was also included in the creation of many popular cartoons like Quest for Camelot in 1996 with Warner Brothers, The Iron Giant, Osmosis Jones, The Road to El Dorado, Sinbad, the Legend of the Seven Seas, Kung Fu Panda and etc. Since 2006 Yelena has been working on the famous American show, The Simpsons.

NEWS.am STYLE has had an interesting interview with Yelena about The Simpsons and it’s worldwide success.

«I have been working on The Simpsons show for ten years now as a Character Layout Artist/ Animator. Here's what I do: First I set up the scene, positioning the characters in the background, creating their main acting poses, then setting up the camera moves, importing the audio/dialogue, etc. Then I go back and animate all the characters in the scene, based on the script and the recorded dialogue. We do "traditional"- hand drawn animation, but we draw on a cintiq, which is a computer screen»,-says Yelena, who thinks there are several reasons for which the show is so popular in the world.

Yelena with husband-artist Gago Oganesyan and daughter-TV host, Sona Oganesyan

«I think there are many reasons the show is as successful as it is ("The Simpsons" is in the 28th year of production now, the longest run for any prime-time sitcom in the US.). One of the reasons in my opinion is that the show is funny for the kids, but it is also full of adult humor, which makes it really entertaining for older audience as well. It parodies many aspects of modern culture, deals with current social, political and other issues in a satirical manner. Another reason for the show's success is the fact that as dysfunctional as the Simpsons family is, they still are very likable, mainly because they deeply care for each other and in their own way they still try to do the right thing... I also believe that the show is greatly enriched by all the colorful and interesting secondary characters- relatives, friends, neighbors and other inhabitants of Springfield. And last but not least, I think the show is visually appealing. Artistically, there is a lot of talent involved in creating the look of the show: from fun and dynamic animation to beautiful backgrounds and expressive characters».

Yelena with daughter, Sona

The layout artist is in her homeland not only for master-classes, she also wants to spend some time with her family and friends.

With one of the creators of The Simpsons, Matt Groening

«I'm leaving for Europe on the 15th, early morning. Then I'll be back for a day and leave for Los Angeles on the 25th. My other plans here include seeing friends and family and doing as much sightseeing as I can»,-says Yelena, who has still such a long road to pass through the magic world of animation.

Syune Arakelyan

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